Saturday, August 23, 2008

Rockland Breakwater Swim Race Report

Another great day and fun race! It was sunny 80 degrees with a 60 degree water temp. At first it felt cold but as soon as I got going it felt great and I didn't even notice. It was a nice small race with about 33 people in two waves for each category: the 3.2 mile swim (2 loops of the breakwater) and the 1.6 mile swim (1 loop of the breakwater).

My ever faithful training partner Kathy joined me along with her brother in law Adrien.

Kathy and I

Adrien

First the 3.2 mile swimmers took off so I was able to get a shot... I think Kathy is on the dock.

Then the 1.6 swimmers took off 30 minutes later, close to when the 3.2 swimmers were approaching their second loop. I got in the water with only 2 minutes to go, which turned out to be perfect. The Maine Masters folks did an amazing job organizing the race and had every detail covered.

After the start I stayed with Cheryl, who is a very fast local open water swimmer, for about 300 yards and then began to draft off of her. I was hoping to stay closer to her for longer but didn't want to burn out at the end so I let myself back off a little. And the rest of the way I was on my own. I couldn't see anyone behind me, although occassionally I could see Cheryl and Doug ahead of me... too far to catch however! As I rounded the lighthouse there was a huge tall ship schooner passing by which was just amazing to see with the sunlight sparkling and dancing on the water. The lighthouse itself was also gorgeous and I wish I could have stopped to take a picture (luckily Photographer Jan Reale was there and will send me a link to all her pictures soon which I can share with everyone). It was refreshingly COLD on the other side of the lighthouse -- I was feeling surprisingly hot, which I did not expect. On the trek back down the breakwater there were large swells for the first third and then they died down so I got a bit closer to the breakwater to reduce my distance. In my eagerness to finish I started sprinting a bit too early, but recovered okay and just kept the pace through the finish.

1.6 mile results:

Time: 38:202nd woman overall2nd AG3rd overall

Just goes to show not matter how fast you think you are, there is usually someone faster! Always inspiration to keep working and swim faster.

Kathy came through with a 1st place woman overall in the 3.2 mile swim and 1st in her age group. Yeah Kathy!!! That was a long swim. And she got some nice "goodies" -- a mug, a signed copy of Off the Deep End by Hodding Carter (ME Masters swimmer) and a handsome plaque. Adrien got first in his age group too! Great job Adrien!

Here are all the top finishers in the wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories for both distances for women and men. Congrats to everyone and thanks to the organizers for a very fun race! This is a definite race for next year and I hope more of my Masters teammates come out too.

Congrats Alina. Sounds like a great swim!!! Congrats also on passing your exam -- I'm sure that was a huge relief. I've put in a few swims on the lake front here in Chicago; and I'm still contemplating the Alcatraz swim next year. Keep me posted on the sign-up deadlines. -- Chris

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